Photoelastic characterization of shear-bands in mechanically stretched polymeric fibers

Microsc Res Tech. 2022 Jan;85(1):193-201. doi: 10.1002/jemt.23895. Epub 2021 Aug 9.

Abstract

In this work, the shear bands formed during the stretching of isotactic polypropylene fibers are studied. The digital photoelasticity technique is applied to provide full-field visualization of the stress of the shear bands regions. The mechanical testing device is modified to be suitable for mechanical measurements. The effect of different parameters, that is, the stretching rates and the ambient temperature on the formation of shear bands is investigated. Finally, the influence of heating pre-existed shear bands is studied. Photoelastic patterns of the shear bands at these conditions are included for illustration.

Keywords: birefringence; digital photoelasticity; intrinsic stress anisotropy; isotactic polypropylene fiber; shear bands.